The Shambles York | Inside York The Shambles York Above image courtesy of Karl Wilson Photography Welcome to the Official York Shambles website. Shambles (or The Shambles as it is often referred to) is a street in the city centre of York with a long and interesting past... Today it features great shops, cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions. A fantastic place to stroll on a day in York or visit to take in some shopping, history and culture - also this year's winner of Google's Most Picturesque Street in Britain. Below we feature the latest Shambles news, its fantastic and things to see and do while visiting. The Shambles is one of the most famous streets in Britain. Olympic Torch Shambles York On the 19th June 2012 York Shambles and its residents were very proud to welcome the Olympic Torch on its journey through York on the way to London 2012. York welcomed the Olympic torch for 2012 with great anticipation. The entrance to York's historic Shambles was lined with people, tv crews, press and police. Our Torch carrier on the Shambles was 34-year-old Luke Young from Dishforth.

He was chosen to run with the torch after cycling from London to Paris to raise money for charity. York Collectors Coins Visit the infamous York Shambles Penny Press machine which will features 4 brand new collectable York coins for purchase. The press flattens a one pence or penny and create a new pressed York coin. The designs for the York collectables can be seen below. Popular with collectors, residents, childen and tourists - York coins make great souvenirs to remember your visit to York! To get your coin visit the Shambles penny press machine which is out on the street every day between 10am and 4pm. Above: Shambles business owners / traders, Google Street Team officials and York councillor John Galvin. Voted Most Picturesque Street in Britain The Shambles won the award for Britain's Most Picturesque Street 2010. (See photo above.) The Google Street Team took votes for nominated streets across Britain. Categories included best for food, best for shopping and most picturesque. Google received tens of thousands of internet votes and the traders and team at York's Shambles were honored to receive this award. Thanks for your support!!

:-) "This is great news, and I am delighted that the Shambles has received this award. The Shambles is a timeless street full of historic charm and whatever time of year you come here, there is something different to see. The Shopkeepers and locals have been fully behind this campaign from the start, putting signs in their shop windows and notices on the Shambles website. So it's fantastic, that those who love the Shambles that have voted it 'Britain's most picturesque street'. Google Street view is a great way of virtually walking down the Shambles, looking at the architecture, the cobbled street and even into shop windows from your own homes.

To win this Google competition is a great accolade for the Shambles and York but also those who have helped preserve the Shambles for the enjoyment of the people of England." - Shambles Representative News Articles - Most Picturesque Street Below are some of the news stories published: York Press - Shambles voted Britain's most picturesque street in Google Street View awards The Guardian - It's a Shambles – but it's the most picturesque street in Britain The Metro - The Shambles in York voted most picturesque street in the country BBC News Online - The Shambles, York, named Britain's 'most picturesque' Telegraph - First Google Street View awards search for Britain's best Today the Shambles is Europe's most visited street, attracting tourist, shoppers and business clients. We are proud to present this website which brings together the history, community and services of Shambles, York YO1 7LZ. History Shambles (also known as 'The Shambles') is a bustling centre piece of historic York. The street today is one of the UK's most visited and has become a wealth of shopping, tourist attractions, restaurants and many other things to see and do, including tours, ghost walks and historic talks.

If you want to know York, you need to know Shambles. The way that fifteenth century buildings lean into the middle of the cobbled street means that the roofs almost touch in the middle. Mentioned in the Domesday book (making it date over 900 years), we know Shambles to be York 's oldest street, and Europe's best preserved Medieval street. It really is a very special place. The word Shambles originates from the Medieval word Shamel, which meant booth or bench. It was once also referred to as Flesshammel, a word with meaning around flesh; this is because Shambles was historically a street of butchers shops and houses. Records state that in1872 there were 26 butchers on the street. The last butcher to trade on Shambles was at number 27 of the name Dewhurst. Livestock was slaughtered on Shambles also, the meat was served over what are now the shop window bottoms, and these were originally the Shamels.

It is also interesting to notice the way the pavements on either side of the street are raised up, this was done to create a channel which the butchers would wash away their waste through; offal and blood would gush down Shambles twice weekly. Half way along Shambles is the Shrine to Margaret Clitherow, wrongly thought to be her house (the real house is now thought to be 10 Shambles), the council bought this building and made a shrine. See below for more information on Margaret Clitherow. St. Margaret Clitherow A butcher’s wife who lived in this famous street, she was brought up in the reformed religion, to which her husband also conformed (they were married in 1571). In 1574, however, she was reconciled to the Catholic church and allowed her house to be used for the shelter of priests and as lodging for a Catholic schoolteacher for her own children and those of neighbours. She kept this up for twelve years, during which time she was arrested on several occasions and spent a total of three years in prison. Eventually her house was searched, and, under threat, one of the pupils revealed where the Mass vestments were hidden.

She refused to plead at her trial, wishing, she said, to spare the jury’s conscience; the penalty for this refusal was to be pressed naked beneath a heavy stone and left for three days without proper food or drink. The sentence was not fully applied, but she was crushed to death under a weight at the Tollbooth on the Ouse Bridge in York on the feast of the Annunciation in 1586. Her husband never returned to the Catholic faith, but one daughter became a nun, at Louvain in the Low Countries. Read more about Margaret Clitherow here . Click here to see York Council's own page for more information on ownership, services and shops to rent on the Shambles... York Shambles Accommodation If you're looking to stay close to York city centre and the historic Shambles why not check our accommodation guide or trivago for Guest Houses and Hotels. As there is a wide range of accommodation in York to choose from, you can be sure to find the ideal place for your visit to this beautiful city.

Attractions, Shops, Cafes, Restaurants & Other Businesses Located Here The Earl Grey Tea Rooms Tags: None In this most historic of thoroughfares, sit amidst oak beams and tapestries and enjoy hot buttered tea cakes, exotic teas and coffees, delicious cream scones, hot dishes and salads. Enjoy the oasis of calm that is our secluded courtyard garden. The Shambles, York: The Most Medieval Street in England | Amusing Planet The Shambles, York: The Most Medieval Street in England Kaushik Tuesday, September 11, 2012 1 comment Advertisement Located in the heart of the city of York, England, the Shambles is an old mediaeval street, often called Europe's best preserved. This short and narrow street has overhanging timber-framed buildings, some of which dates back as far as the fourteenth century. The way the buildings lean into the middle of the cobbled street means that the roofs almost touch each other at the top. In some sections of the Shambles it is possible to touch both sides of the street with your arms outstretched.

The street is mentioned in the 900 year old “Domesday book”, making it the oldest and Europe's best preserved medieval street. The Shambles was once known as “The Great Flesh Shambles”, probably from the Anglo-Saxon word Fleshammels (literally 'flesh-shelves') - the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat, for it was here that the city's butcher's market was located. Many houses had slaughterhouse at the back of the premises and shops at the front. The meat was hung up outside the shops and laid out for sale on the shop window. It is still possible to see some of the original butcher’s meat-hooks attached to the shop fronts. Shopping In York » Recommended York Shops. York Shopping Antique Shops, Fashion Shops, Shambles York 360° — York360 (@York360) December 5, 2016 Käthe Wohlfahrt A German Christmas themed shop now open in the medieval city centre shop previously occupied by Mulberry Hall. Opened in 2016. Mulberry Hall - Closed (Spring 2016).

Located in Stonegate, Mulberry Hall exhibits and sells an amazing range of fine china, crystal, cutlery and cookware. You are sure to find a gift here, well worth a look! Stonegate is also one of York's most popular shopping streets. The shops here have traditional style facades where you will find many shops to buy clothing, food, sweets and gifts. Use our Map of York to find Stonegate, York . Photo of Mulberry Hall The Shambles One of the most photographed streets in England! The Shambles is one of York's oldest medieval streets. This narrow cobbled street originally housed butchers shops now home to many small curiosity shops. The original wooden beams and slabs in front of the windows can still be seen. The wooden buildings overhang the street so much you could shake hands with your neighbour opposite! At the top end The Shambles opens up into Kings Square where street entertainers wow the crowds. Dave's Hog roast shop near to Kings Square is very popular, where you can get really tasty hot roast sandwiches! Also there is a fish & chip shop on Petergate close to King's Square.

Panoramic Photo of 'The Shambles' here The Flax & Twine Housed in a beautiful 18th century building at 20 Shambles, York. Selling homewares and unique vintage items to help you make your home gorgeous. Also a cafe selling lots of tasty treats, including light lunches / afternoon teas, the perfect thing after a day of shopping! Burgins Perfumery Est. 1880 2 Coney Street, York YO1 9NA Tel. 01904 623137 4 Coney Street, York YO1 9NA We import unique sweets & candy from around the world! Christmas Angels 47 Low Petergate, York Tel. 01904 639908 A magical Christmas shop open all year round. Christmas In York The Quarter 23/25 Swinegate, York, YO1 8AZ Fashionable bags, wallets and more. Located next door to The Slug & Lettuce & Nineteen The Quarter is a patchwork of old streets including; Grape Lane, Swinegate, Back Swinegate and Little Stonegate.

There are many smart boutique shops in The Quarter including: Cusp Children's Toys, Boudoir Kiss Lingerie, Porcupine Gifts, Ashberry of York, Giselle Ladies Fashions. More Recommended Shops In York Jigsaw ~ 37 Stonegate. Womenswear and Accessories. Monk Bar York Model Shop ~ map A great model shop for children and adults alike! Now in its 42nd year of business, Monk Bar Model Shop specialises in plastic kits, model railways, diecasts, Corgi and Scalextric. Located underneath Monk Bar. Mary Shortle Mary shortle International has been a doll specialist for over twenty three years. As a very serious collector she is passionate about dolls. 9 Lord Mayors Walk, YO31 7HB Tel: 01904 631165 Jack Wills 18-20 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS Tel: 01904 620 075 13 High Ousegate, YO1 8RZ Tel.

01904 658568 5, Feasegate, York YO1 8SH Jo Malone - Luxury Fragrances 25 Stonegate, York YO1 8AW Apple Store York 18-20 Spurriergate, York YO1 9QR Tel. 01904 234884 46 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF Running and fitness shoes & clothing. The Yorkshire Soap Co. 10 Blake Street, York YO1 8QG Hawkin's Bazaar 15 High Ousegate, YO1 8RZ A huge range of exciting toys, gifts and gadgets. hawkin.com Jones Bootmaker Jones Bootmaker create high-quality, stylish collections of boots and shoes, as well as stocking ranges from brands including Birkenstock, Cheaney, Fitflop and Clarks. Address: 12 Pavement, YO1 9UP Telephone: 01904 848 805 Barnitts Colliergate, York YO1 8BW A large store, over 100 years old.

Barnitts sells home, lighting, furniture, gardening, tools, kitchenware, Christmas decorations and specialist products you might not find elsewhere. “If Barnitts haven’t got it, you can’t get it anywhere!” Rae & Webb - Coffee & Cake 10 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ Tel. 01904 675499 | ink-well.co.uk The Inkwell is a hip and homely shop specialising in new and vintage vinyl records, CDs, books on history and popular culture, and all sorts of retro gifts. Dressed as a 1950s school room, complete with blackboard and wooden desks. The Inkwell offers York shoppers a unique opportunity to step back in time to a more relaxed and welcoming era of retail. Hot drinks and snacks are available for you to enjoy while you browse and soak up the nostalgic atmosphere. Ambience Café Bistro 40 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ Situated in the slightly bohemian street of Gillygate, with the famous city wall bordering our picturesque tea garden, Ambience is a secret hidden treasure of York. Snowhome An independent design store.

Selling a range of really cool design led homeware and gifts. 42 Gillygate York YO31 7EQ | snow-home.co.uk "There's some nice shops down Gillygate!" Love Cheese York A specialist cheese shop with about 70 different cheeses in stock. We also have a cafe & garden when you can sit in and dine on a range of platters, salads & sandwiches. 16 Gillygate, York, YO31 7EQ Telephone. 01904 622967 4 Kings Court, York YO1 7LD Selling cards, wedding & engagement gifts. Located in King's Square. Mannion and Co Café & Deli 1 Blake Street, York 19-21 Blake Street, York YO1 8QJ Telephone: 01904 651490 A leading independent fashion store offering a great selection brands including Barbour, Stone Island, G Star, Paul Smith, Firetrap, Vivienne Westwood, Hugo Boss, Luke 1977 and more. Browse their selection online or pop into their store on Blake Street.

vanmildert.com The Coat Outlet An Online store stocking Outerwear for all the Family at Outlet Prices. Mens Coats, Womens Coats and Kids Coats. We also stock Fleece, Gloves, Hats and Scarves etc. Free UK Delivery on Orders over £20. thecoatoutlet.com / Tel: 0845 2996305 4 Springbank Business Park, Hessay, YO26 8HN (Warehouse only) York Cocoa House 3 Blake Street, photo Discover the wonderful world of chocolate in the heart of York , the chocolate city. A chocolate cafe and chocolate making workshops. Twitter @YorkCocoaHouse 15 Lendal, YO1 8AQ Tel: 01904 541 415 The Little Diamond Shop opened in York on 15 Lendal during Christmas 2010. The shop takes its name from the original name given to its sister shop, Ogden of Harrogate, by its founder in 1893. In fact, the clock from the original Little Diamond Shop takes centre stage in the shop as a proud reminder of the company’s history.

As a sister showroom to Ogden of Harrogate, the shop reflects Ogden’s heritage but gives it a contemporary look too. Traditional elements such as Edwardian display cabinets have been mixed with a bolder decor to give it a more modern feel, while maintaining the sense of luxury associated with the company. The Little Diamond Shop stocks many of the brands and jewellery collections that regular customers to Ogden of Harrogate will recognise and in addition several exclusive collections including Sarah Jordan jewellery and Technomarine, Fortis, Mondaine, Cuervo y Sobrinos, Manometro and Carl F Bucherer watch brands. MOR Music 8 Franklins Yard, Fossgate, YO1 9TN Based just off Fossgate in Franklins Yard, MOR Music is a friendly boutique guitar shop with knowledgeable staff, an on-site workshop for guitar & amp repairs & servicing, tuition rooms for guitar, drum, vocal & harp lessons, & has new city centre rehearsal & recording studios coming soon. In addition, as the hub of the local musical community, MOR Music organises events & festivals including the York 800 MOR Music Festival, Music On Rails at the National Railway Museum.

See also MOR Music Festival Bowler Vintage The new look shop, Bowler Vintage has everything from cute quirky vintage dresses to pop check shirts, Stocking both men and womens clothing. 52 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF Telephone 01904 630407 The Hairy Fig Many products are exclusive to us in this area including our delicious on-tap balsamics of many varieties, and quality extra virgin oils and rapeseed oils. Whisky, port and fig vodka all on tap. Buy an ornate bottle from us at just cost (or bring your own) and we will fill it. 39 Fossgate, York Browns of York, 21 Davygate, York YO1 8QT Browns are an independent family owned department store based in York, Helmsley and Beverley. They have been operating for over 100 years and offer a stunning selection of different products under one roof. Fenwick York - Department Store Fewick's is located at the Coppergate Shopping Centre near to the Jorvik Viking Centre. The 1st floor is the place to go for women's clothing and the excellent cafe-restaurant.

Exclusive beauty and fragrance brands occupy the ground floor together with menswear, stationery, luggage and accessories. For linens, cookware and toys, head for the basement. Monks Cross Shopping Visit Monks Cross Shopping Park with ease of access and free parking. Monks Cross Shopping monkscrossshopping.co.uk Vangarde Shopping Park Home to the regions largest M&S store. Home to M&S, John Lewis, Next, Giraffe and six new restaurants. Free parking. Twitter @VangardeYork York Designer Outlet York Designer Outlet - Large Fashion & Retail Outlet. map Located just south of York near the interchange of the A64 and A19, 10 mins drive from the city centre. York Designer Outlet runs the Red Line Park & Ride bus, which operates from the railway station every 10 mins. Look out for the branded bus at the front of the station. Park & Ride York - full info here York's Chocolate Heritage Kitkat, Yorkie, Quality Street, Smarties, Chocolate Orange, Black Magic, All Gold.. the list goes on, all originating from York. York is famous for its Chocolate, with names like Rowntree's and Terry's now known all over the world.

Terry's of York was one of Britain's oldest confectionery makers and was one of the first to make eating chocolate rather than drinking chocolate. Rowntree's still has a huge factory based in York. Hotel Chocolat Visit the brand new York store and see a range of authentic, fresh chocolates. Find the perfect gift, there’s something here for everyone. 34 Coney Street, York YO1 9ND Monk Bar Chocolatiers of York Renowned for their superb quality of our luxury handmade chocolates. Featured on TV Channel 4 'Come Dine With Me'. Located under the historic Monk Bar. 1 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LJ Tel: 01904 672963 York Chocolate Club New Tourist Attraction: York's Chocolate Story York Minster Gift Shop York Minster , York YO1 7HH The Minster Gift Shop inside York Minster & York Minster Gifts situated in Minster Gates opposite the south entrance to the Minster. Selling cards, calendars, prints, jewellery and gifts. Open from 10am - 5pm Mon-Sat and 11.30am - 5pm on Sundays.

Cycle Heaven - New Cycle Store! 31 Hospital Fields Road, York YO10 4FS Tel. 01904 636578 2 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1JJ Cycle Heaven at York Station York Railway Station, York YO24 1AY Frankie & Johnny's Cookshop City Walk: Old Town of York Tour, York, England Old Town of York Tour, York Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pessimist This self-guided walking tour is included in the iOS app " GPSmyCity: Walks and Articles with Offline Maps " on iTunes App Store and the Android app " York Map and Walks " on Google Play. Start your tour of York’s Old Town at the Museum Gardens. Walk along Shambles, a medieval street and see its narrow houses, pavements and its famous Snickelways. Climb the spiral staircase of Clifford's Tower for a great view of the town. Take this tour to experience the history of this very old city.

Old Town of York Tour - Route Map Guide Name: Old Town of York Tour Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing) # of Attractions: 9 Author: val 1) York Museum Gardens The York Museum Gardens are botanic gardens in the centre of York. They cover an area of 10 acres (4.0 ha) of the former grounds of St Mary's Abbey, and were created in the 1830s by the Yorkshire Philosophical Society along with the Yorkshire Museum which they contain. They were designed in a gardenesque style by landscape architect Sir John Murray Naysmith, and contain a variety of species of plants, trees and birds. Admission is free. A variety of events take place in the gardens, such... view more Image Courtesy of Flickr and Matthew Black Sight description based on wikipedia 2) St. Mary's Abbey St. Mary’s Abbey dates back to 1086, when Alan Count of Brittany granted St. Olave's Church and the adjoining land to the monk, Stephen of Whitby. Whitby became the first abbot of St. Mary's.

It became the wealthiest monastery in northern England, before it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. Over the next 200 years, the abbey fell into disrepair and was largely dismantled for its stone. Stones from the abbey can be seen lining paths throughout the York Museum Gardens, but the major... view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kaly 99 Sight description based on wikipedia 3) The Hospitium The Hospitium, located between the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey and the Ouse River, is thought to have originally been a guest house for visitors to the abbey of low social rank, or possibly a barn. It was part of a group of buildings on the abbey grounds that included a brew house, stables, mill and a small boarding school. The oldest parts of the ground floor were built around 1300 and the upper floor has been extensively restored in modern times. The ruined gateway on the side dates back to... view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kaly99 Sight description based on wikipedia 4) St. Leonard's Hospital The remains of St. Leonard's Hospital chapel and undercroft are on the east side of the York Museum Gardens.

This was the largest hospital in England during the Middle Ages and was run by a community of the Augustinian Order. St. Leonard's Hospital was closed during the dissolution of the monasteries, when it was surrendered to Henry VIII by Thomas Magnus. The undercroft and chapel were part of the infirmary, built between 1225 and 1250. The undercroft interior, accessible from the... view more Image Courtesy of Flickr and Tim Green aka atoach Sight description based on wikipedia 5) Bedern Hall Bedern Hall is a fine 13th century meeting-hall in York, hidden away barely 100 metres from the east front of York Minster. Bedern Hall was built for the “College of Vicars Choral” (est. c.1250), whose members were the priests who deputised for the Minster canons when they were away. The northernmost building was a huge timber-framed dormitory, at least 50 metres long and 12 metres wide. The first floor was shared by the vicars, each of whom used the space of one bay against one or...

view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Gordon Hatton Sight description based on wikipedia 6) The Shambles The Shambles is an old street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back to the 14th century. It was once known as the Great Flesh Shambles, probably from the Anglo-Saxon Fleshammels (literally 'flesh shelves'), the word for the shelves that butchers used to display their meat. As recently as 1872 there were 25 butcher shops on the street, but now there are none. Although the butchers have vanished, a number of shops still have meat hooks hanging outside with... view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and MuleAthon Sight description based on wikipedia 7) Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate is one of the smallest streets in York, if not the smallest. It is between Colliergate and Fossgate and intersects The Pavement and The Stonebow in York city centre. It is currently a length of raised pavement between St Crux church hall and a road junction. The origin of the name is unclear.

A plaque erected in the street states that it derives from a phrase Whitnourwhatnourgate meaning "What a street!", but most modern sources translate the phrase as... view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kaly99 Sight description based on wikipedia 8) Clifford's Tower The original York Castle, a wooden construction facing the Ouse River, was built in 1086 by William the Conqueror on the top of a high conical hill. Henry III rebuilt the castle in stone in the middle of the 13th century, creating a keep with a unique quatrefoil design, supported by an outer bailey wall and a substantial gatehouse. During the Scottish wars between 1298 and 1338, York Castle was frequently used as the centre of royal administration across England, as well as an important military... view more Image Courtesy of Flickr and clspeace Sight description based on wikipedia 9) Baile Hill Baile Hill, a man-made earth mound, is the only remaining feature of what was known as the Old Baile. Its origins date back to 1068.

Having seized York that year, William the Conqueror built a castle on the south side of the city close to the Ouse River. Then, as a response to a rebellion the following year, a second castle was built on the opposite side of the river. There is no clear evidence which of these castles was built first, but it is generally thought to be the one which stood on the... view more Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Dbam Sight description based on wikipedia The Most Popular Cities 26 reasons why Shambles Market will change York for good – YorkMix Follow Shambles Market on Twitter Shambles Market will host a free four-day family celebration Friday, Apr 3 to Mon Apr 6 Shambles Market opens on Monday (March 23). It is the biggest change to the city’s market for decades. Traders will leave their temporary home on Parliament Street for the space formerly known as Newgate Market, revamped and reinvigorated. So what can we expect? We spoke to Steve Shooter, interim city centre and markets manager, and City of York Council director Charlie Croft to find out. 1.

It’s had quite the facelift Well, with £1.6 million spent on it, you would expect some big changes. Paving in the area formerly known as Newgate Market has been repaired or replaced, there’s new lighting both in the ground and around the market, the stalls are repaired and repainted with lighter canopies, and the drainage is better. And of course, there’s that name change. Newgate didn’t mean anything to people. Newgate isn’t a world-famous street name. And actually the area the market is in was originally part of the Shambles area. We wanted to reflect its history as well as using it as a marketing opportunity, because it means from now on we can advertise the Shambles and its accompanying market. – Steve Shooter 2. And it’s bigger It has 83 stalls – two more than before – as well as seven new permanent kiosks. There are still four retail units housing a butcher, fishmongers and a cheese stall, and these too have been renovated. 3. The layout has changed Shambles Market layout is designed to make the approach to all areas of the market more accessible and attractive.

A wider central aisle leading to the food area has been nicknamed ‘the Golden Mile’. The hope is that shoppers in Shambles will be lured to the market via a well lit alleyway and signage near Shambles Kitchen – not to mention delicious cooking smells… 4. The market has a food court A place to eat and relax One of the most innovative changes sees an area at the back of Shambles turned into a street food court. Four of the seven new kiosks are given over to food vendors: Café M – serving jacket potatoes and toppings Mr Tantuni wraps Los Moros – North African and Levantine street food The Flax & Twine – an extension of its Shambles café You can take these away or eat them in the new seating area, complete with tables, chairs, parasols and heaters for when it’s chilly. I’m really confident that the food court is going to be a big draw for people and become a nice place to spend 15 minutes of your lunch break. – market manager Steve Shooter 5. There are three retail kiosks Like the food kiosks these are rented on an annual, seven-day a week lease.

Interim market manager Steve Shooter believes they will all be open daily within a few weeks, once staffing has been sorted. These are the new kiosk businesses: Clox – selling and repairing clocks, watches, batteries, watch straps etc. Run by the Boulby family, transferred from their existing six-day stall SticksArtStones – selling a range of fair-trade and handmade ornaments, wall plaques and statues for home and garden Demize – selling body jewellery, street wear like T shirts and hoodies, and modern jewellery “York is an amazing city and welcomes visitors from all over the world. We wanted York to be the home of our very first shop and we know the Shambles Market is the prefect location.” – Jason Kelly, co-owner SticksArtStones 6. Look out for new stalls too There will be up to ten new traders taking up stalls in Shambles Market in the first weeks. They will be selling everything from kitchenware to recycled picnic blankets to tray bakes like flapjacks and brownies made by a young woman baker – plus a “lot of things that are hand made or artisan,” Steve said. 7.

It will be a locals market at heart Flashback to when the market temporarily moved back in last year Although new tourism and marketing body Make It York will look to promote Shambles Market to city visitors, that is not its main purpose. “Our new project is to not just appeal to tourists, it’s to rebuild it as a shopping area for York residents,” Steve said. “The core things that the market has always been – fruit and veg, daily items that people use on a regular basis – that’s what we need to get back to. “It should become a vital part of the city. We have butchers in there, we have fishmongers, we have cheese. We’ve got attractive fruit and veg, and more of the basics.” But more could be done to improve the mix, he said. On our market you can buy hand-carved wooden statues but you can’t buy a towel. Or a duvet cover. Lots of every day practical things that our audience would probably go for if we had it. Once we’re back in and settled, part of our mission is to recruit new traders. We’re open to suggestions. 8. More market plans are afoot Another view of the kiosks The team behind the market are keen to innovate.

One suggestion is a monthly antiques market. But it’s not just about buying and selling. The space could be used for other activities both in and outside trading hours Steve said. “I’ve been talking to some people who want to do a pirate show in the kids’ holidays, possibly in the market. “Once the market’s done for the day we’ve got a really big cobbled area that we could do stuff in. If there’s a theatre production going on, have a chat with me – if we can work it, let’s work it.” 9. And there will be a new website For the first time Shambles Market will have its own website, to be launched soon, as well as social media feeds. This will not only include information on which stalls are available on which day, it will tell the traders’ stories on a regularly updated blog, said Steve. 10. There is spare capacity Stalls are still up for grabs The Saturday market is over-subscribed. But the market as a whole is not. Steve estimates that, in the six months to Christmas, the market was running at 85-90% capacity. He is sure that figure will rise.

With the team we’ve got in place here, and with the help of Make It York, I’m really confident we’ll get to the point within six months or a year that we have a waiting list for people every day, not just on a Saturday. People will really want to be here because they’ve seen York market is doing really well. 11. It has to make more money “We were given £1.6 million, but half of that we have to repay,” Charlie said. “That works out at about £60,000 a year. A big chunk of that is going to come from the kiosks alone.” About two-thirds will come from the rent from the seven new kiosks. “The rest will really come from getting that 85% capacity up to 100%.” 12. Rents will not change for a year Stall rents have been held for the last two years, and the council is committed to keeping them the same for the next financial year. 13. Most Parliament Street markets are out The farmers market and other additional markets will be taken off Parliament Street and incorporated into Shambles Market, Steve said. We’ve got a great big market place area.

What we want is when people say ‘York’ and ‘market’, the Shambles Market is what they think of. It’s foolish to compete against ourselves by putting something nearby to draw attention away from our regular market. 14. They will go under new gazebos Farmers and other additional markets will be housed on Shambles Market stalls specially marked for their use, and under 12 new heavy duty gazebos which have been bought for the purpose. They will be located against the back wall of Marks and Spencer and along Silver Street. 15. The Food Fest stays on Parliament Street In negotiations… York Food And Drink Festival Discussions about where the York Food And Drink Festival stalls will go are underway. Council assistant director Charlie Croft said: Steve [Brown, MD of Make It York] told me that he had negotiated that they would have stalls around Shambles, but they would have a row in Parliament Street as well – facing Shambles. They would be laid out in a way that’s sympathetic to drawing people through. 16. Continental markets are out of favour “Continental markets are fine but we’ve got a great local scene,” Steve said.

“We should be promoting the local scene rather than letting somebody else come in and take the prime real estate away from our traders.” 17. But there’s no blanket ban Steve said: We haven’t got a blanket ban. What we’ve done is said no to things would conflict with our pre-existing retailers. We’re just managing slightly more carefully what’s out there, what’s out on Parliament Street, what’s on St Sampson’s Square. We’ve got some strong retailers in York and we should be supporting them rather than competing with them. 18. St Nicholas Fayre is being upgraded Staying put… St Nicholas Fayre. Photograph: visityork.org Christmas market St Nicholas Fayre will stay on Parliament Street in upgraded accommodation. There is a tender out now for new Christmas market infrastructure. “We’ve had those huts for four years. They’re now looking a bit tired,” Charlie Croft said. 19. And there are more Christmas plans “Rather than it just being, ‘at Christmas there’s a market’ – at Christmas there’ll be other stuff,” said Steve. “All sorts of things have been suggested.

We’re looking into having a really good Santa.” The city is in discussion with entertainment companies as part of the tender process, he said. “I’ve spoken to people from four or five fairly big, well known companies who were interested and well known. We’ve asked them – York has got all these spaces, what would you do with it?” 20. Parliament Street will change “We want to focus it more on interesting events rather than it just being where we plonk a market,” Steve said. “Things like the Great Yorkshire Fringe are a big deal for us because that’s potentially a long-term commitment from an outside company who really want to be involved in York. That’s the kind of project that we’d like to maintain.” Recently a new St Patrick’s Festival was held on Parliament Street. That’s the kind of stuff that we want to promote. Members of our team are looking into doing something for St George’s Day. We’ve had conversations with people about bringing in music festivals. Things like Buskival , that didn’t happen last year for various reasons – that’s an option. 21.

They want to offer more for families “It’s not just for adults with disposable income who want to come and spend – that’s fine, we’ll absolutely welcome those people – but we also want stuff in the city that’s safe for kids and families to do, we want to expand the early evening economy,” said Steve. 22. The fountain may soon be gone In wetter days – the Parliament Street fountain. Photograph © Rodhullandemu, via Wikimedia Commons The Parliament Street fountain – bone dry since the plumbing upheaval which accompanied the demolition of the ‘Splash Palace’ toilet block – could soon be removed. Charlie said councillors had given the go-ahead for it to be taken out and he was now seeking costings for doing so. We haven’t any money to take it out from the market scheme. But potentially it might be more cost-effective to take it out because you’d get more rental throughout the Christmas period. We’re looking at a business case to take it out. 23. Market traders were sceptical… When the idea to renovate the market was first mooted, it was met with scepticism from stallholders and other traders, Charlie said. “There was a lot of suspicion of what were we up to.

Quite a lot of people were saying, what do you want to spend all that money for?” 24. But many have come round “When the traders saw we were serious about including them every inch of the way in the design then people started to take us more seriously,” Charlie said. When they were able to get involved in influencing every detail, then they got a lot keener. What really encouraged me was when one of the traders was saying at our last meeting, ‘the council’s nearly finished the scheme, now it’s down to us if it’s going to succeed’. 25. Not everyone is happy “I’ve had two complaint letters from the farmers market traders saying it won’t be as good,” Charlie said. “I said, ‘come and give it a try’.” 26. But the move is permanent Attention to detail… a close-up of a Shambles stall Spending £1.6 million on the market place, and taking most markets off Parliament Street, effectively ends years of speculation that York’s market might move to Parliament Street permanently.

Steve said: Even our most vocal ‘we should stay on Parliament Street’ people over the last couple of weeks have said to me, ‘I can’t wait to get back in there – that’s our space’. “It’s time to come home now. And reestablish it as the home for all markets within York.”

Question: In York what were located originally in the famous street known as the Shambles?
Answer: BUTCHER'S